Advice on buying a phone online

[turbo_boy411]

Good day,

Can you guys advise on buying a phone online, I see some state factory unlocked while others state GSM carriers only.

Can the one that is unlocked to GSM carriers only work in Trinidad on both bmobile and digicel networks?

[Redman]

The seller should identify the gsm freq that the phone works on
both networks here provide that info on the websites

[ismithx]

There are two main network technologies, gsm and cdma. The US is the only country that still uses cdma. We in Trinidad like all other countries use gsm exclusively.

[Gladiator]

Once its a factory unlocked GSM dual band it would work...

[maj. tom]

Look up the phone specs on GSMArena before you purchase. Example: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_g6-9000.php
Make sure it says unlocked in the product description, i.e. not locked with a US/Canada carrier. Note the GSM bands and the sim card type on the spec page.

Then prepared to get raped by Skybox and Customs. But it still will be cheaper than buying local.

[Dizzy28]

I bought a carrier unlocked phone last year on Amazon and it works on both networks here. Was an ATT phone. Bought carrier unlocked as opposed to factory unlocked for the 1 year warranty.

[VexXx Dogg]

Hit and miss.
For the misses, you might have to pay to ship it back up; and then get double shot of tax when the new one coming back in.

Some local sellers are actually cheaper than amazon.
Eg.
J7 Prime is 190USD
Shipping, duties and vat etc bring it to about 300USD total, which works out to about 2100TT

That same phone selling for as low as 1600 in some places.

[cueball1990]

look for factory unlocked gsm phones. also make sure it is lte capable. the duty and vat for shipping cellphones is high though so you might end up spending way more than buying one locally unless you can get someone to bring it from you if they travelling.

20% duty 12.5% vat and 7% online shopping tax + shipping costs. so you will probably pay about 40% or more the value of the phone to ship it.

[stev]

Good day,

Can you guys advise on buying a phone online, I see some state factory unlocked while others state GSM carriers only.

Can the one that is unlocked to GSM carriers only work in Trinidad on both bmobile and digicel networks?

u have any phones in mind? also were u buying from?

[cryotec]

taxes usually kill the value proposition of buying phones from online. i suggest cheap but decent phones so you dont get hit too hard

[Chimera]

what type of phone is it?

you does really only save on iphones IF you dont get hit with full taxes

samsungs are cheaper locally than online

[ismithx]

samsungs are cheaper locally than online

very true

[K74T]

Yeah them J series real cheap down here

[Dizzy28]

Wife had a J5 for two years and using a J7 (2016) model now. Them phones is real chit though. I gave her my one plus 2 and the difference was stark but she ended up breaking the one plus so back to the J7.

[masterkyle]

Yeah I'm bringing down a Motorola G6 from Amazon cost $1687. TTD and Shipping with my courier will cost $800 to bring it to my doorstep.

This plus I ordered a good tpu case and 3 pack of tempered glass. As I know I won't get it in Trinidad.

If u are buying online you take a risk of course, because if any issues arise it's too costly to ship it back. But from my experience I never had a problem so far. (Fingers crossed)

I love Motorola phones and the stock Android flavor. So I don't mind paying the extra and it's not a phone anyone in Trinidad sells readily.

If u want a Samsung or some other unlocked phone that already sells widely in Trinidad best you buy here.

[adnj]

Yeah I'm bringing down a Motorola G6 from Amazon cost $1687. TTD and Shipping with my courier will cost $800 to bring it to my doorstep.

This plus I ordered a good tpu case and 3 pack of tempered glass. As I know I won't get it in Trinidad.

If u are buying online you take a risk of course, because if any issues arise it's too costly to ship it back. But from my experience I never had a problem so far. (Fingers crossed)

I love Motorola phones and the stock Android flavor. So I don't mind paying the extra and it's not a phone anyone in Trinidad sells readily.

If u want a Samsung or some other unlocked phone that already sells widely in Trinidad best you buy here.

You can get some really good deals online for some phones even after duty and VAT.

With Black Friday coming up and the 2019 launch of 5G in the US, I would expect to see prices dropping on LTE phones soon.

[VexXx Dogg]

Bought a Motorola G5 plus; had a huge hardware problem. Sending back the phone was an option, but too expensive to do.

Ended up cutting my losses.

Lesson learned: Warranty is important, but accessing that warranty even more so.

[A172]

i preorder the highest spec'd google pixel every year for release date

titan handles it for me & i don't even bother checking online

always comes up cheaper and nvr had any issues with his phones

[masterkyle]

i preorder the highest spec'd google pixel every year for release date

titan handles it for me & i don't even bother checking online

always comes up cheaper and nvr had any issues with his phones

Nice! I'll look into this next time I'm buying a phone!

[A172]

yh bro
for someone who imports everything phones is the only thing i let titan handle

[dogg]

Looking for an Android phone for around 700usd . Any advice? I usually keep my phones for 4-5 years. Current one is 4 yrs old.

[adnj]

Looking for an Android phone for around 700usd . Any advice? I usually keep my phones for 4-5 years. Current one is 4 yrs old.

The only four year software update policy is currently Samsung on some of the Galaxy devices.

[dogg]

will this phone work on bmobile?
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone | 128 GB | US Version

[adnj]

will this phone work on bmobile?
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone | 128 GB | US Version

I believe that bmobile uses LTE band 2 and that Digicel uses LTE band 2 and band 28 for mobile. Other bands could be in use that I am not currently aware of. There is no 5G. Those bands are supported on the US version of this phone.

I suggest that you contact your mobile service provider to confirm.

-----------
2G bands
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (Dual SIM model only) 
CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA

3G bands
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

4G bands
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - USA 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International

5G bands
2, 5, 41, 66, 71 Sub6 - USA 
1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 Sub6 - International

Speed
HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (5CA) Cat19 1800/200 Mbps, 5G

https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy ... -10377.php

[d.d.s.]

will this phone work on bmobile?
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone | 128 GB | US Version

I used bhphotovideo to purchase my phone. It gives the carriers that should work in your country for the phone that you're looking to buy.

So that S20 FE 5G:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... fe_5g.html

Just ensure it's the US / North American variant (for charger compatibility with our outlets), and you'll be good to go.

[dogg]

Thanks!

will this phone work on bmobile?
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone | 128 GB | US Version

I used bhphotovideo to purchase my phone. It gives the carriers that should work in your country for the phone that you're looking to buy.

So that S20 FE 5G:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... fe_5g.html

Just ensure it's the US / North American variant (for charger compatibility with our outlets), and you'll be good to go.

[daring dragoon]

The mobile phone does not support the Telecom CDMA 2G 3G network. (For example US Sprint and Verizon operators

will this phone work in trinidad? i am looking at aliexpress website and the price nice for a no name cell phone.

[Les Bain]

Stay away from the GongFeng Gong Shui 16.
It does take good photos but i feel real tired since I got it, and my left ear swelling.

[ruskie]

Stay away from the GongFeng Gong Shui 16.
It does take good photos but i feel real tired since I got it, and my left ear swelling.

Whaaaaaat???

[FineToothDetailing]

Do not and I repeat so not buy unnamed phones. Your better off buying a used old phone off eBay. All my phone's for the past 13 year have been from ebay. With no complaints. Have a Sony from 2014 that's still working just fine.